(yes- 2013)University of Alabama Moves to End Segregated Sorority System

[underpants]

After more than a century of discrimination – and a week of bad publicity – the school will allow black women to join white sororities
http://nation.time.com/2013/09/16/university-of-alabama-moves-to-end-segregated-sorority-system/


Nearly a week after the University of Alabama came under fire for persistent segregation in its sorority system, school officials are set to announce a deal that would clear the way for black women to be admitted to the school’s prestigious and historically white Greek organizations.

The move comes after a story last week in the school’s student newspaper, the Crimson White, about a highly qualified black student being denied a bid to join any of the school’s prestigious, historically white sororities. Despite receiving excellent scores during the recruitment process from current sorority members, the young woman — who requested that her name not appear in the paper’s story — was reportedly blocked by alumnae. The sole reason, according to current sorority members: she was black. Another black woman was also denied a bid. Some alumnae even threatened to pull financial support from their sororities if they accepted black members.

Yardena Wolf, a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, calls the open bidding a “knee-jerk reaction to the media attention.” Wolf moved out of her sorority house after none of the black girls in this year’s pledge class were offered bids.

“I think that the only time the administration or the sororities would ever take accountability for something is when there’s all this outside pressure,” she says. “I wish it could be coming more from a place of love during real rush, and I wish this had happened a month ago.”

[Ilsa]

1. OMG. They were still doing that?

Blocking admittance due to race? What slime-doggies those "sisters" are. I'm surprised the national group didn't change this decades ago.

[blogslut]

2. The answers/excuses from "those in charge" from the original article...

are stunning:

“Every UA organization should be committed to making sure that its policies are held to the highest ideals and that its actions and decisions help make sure this campus is inclusive and welcoming at every opportunity. Our student leaders, our student body and their parents, our employees and our alumni will work hard to continue the progress of the last 50 years as we work together to make access to opportunities available to all.” - UA Dean of Students, Tim Hebson

“Recruitment is a mutual selection process. The Fraternity does not share why or why not a member was selected for membership – even with alumnae of the chapter. The decision to extend membership resides solely at the chapter level. To ensure all membership policies were followed at the University of Alabama, an International Fraternity Officer arrived on campus during recruitment to support the chapter.” - President of Pi Beta Phi, Livia Guadagnoli

“As a private membership organization, Chi Omega’s membership selection process is confidential; however, our criteria for membership is simple, we seek women who reflect our values and purposes. Our recruitment processes and procedures were followed, and while I cannot take away the disappointment a potential new member or chapter member may feel, I can share that all women were treated fairly and consistently in our process.” - Emily Jamison, Chi Omega Rush Advisor

“It wasn’t anything to do with someone. It was policy procedure, and if anything, we have to follow policy and procedure with our nationals. That’s all I can say.” - Karen Keene, Alpha Gamma Delta alumna

link to the original article: http://cw.ua.edu/2013/09/11/the-final-barrier-50-years-later-segregation-still-exists/

[progressoid]

3. Wow

***speechless***

[House of Roberts]

4. It's not the current students that feel this way, don't forget that.

The wealthy alums vetoed admission by threatening to cut off funding.